We love October. Not just because we get to over-decorate our houses and buy way too much candy without judgment, but also because here in the U.S. we promote #National RetirementSecurityMonth. It is a time to raise public awareness about the importance of saving for retirement. So join the hashtag, grab your favorite pumpkin spice drink and settle in for some retirement savings updates:

• 6 facts you need to know about inequality with Boston College’s Geoffrey Sanzenbacher

• Frrreshhh State Auto IRA metrics

• A closer look at … California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and New York State

• Things we never thought we would see, but possibly the best practice in this space

• Hot Sauce, Cool Stuff: Must knows

• Pix of the week – Willow playing a vital role in nurturing productivity and creativity. Who is Willow, you may ask?

Can you feel it? A slight change in the air. A crispness that you don’t remember being there last week. It’s true! Autumn is coming in two days and we’re ending the month with plenty-o-updates. So grab a milkshake (we take ours malted) and settle in:

• Research docket and wealth gap surprises with Morningstar’s Aron Szapiro

• State Auto IRA metrics – 36,000 new funded accounts in one month

• A closer look at … Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York

• Can friction benefit retirement savers? Yes! Behavioral scientist Lindsay Juarez explains

• Hot Sauce! Fresh research and some brain expanders

• And, Pix of the week

We’re enjoying early fall – that season where there’s a nip in the morning air but you’re sure you should be wearing shorts with your neighbors in the afternoon. That is, unless you’re back in the office! Wherever you are, we’ve got cool stuff for you. Settle in for the first-of-fall updates:

• CalSavers leaps forward with Katie Selenski

• We've crossed the $500 million mark! -- state metrics

• Updates from California, Colorado & New Mexico, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Oregon, Vermont, and Delaware

• Who present-bias, me? Duke’s Perry Wright on precommitment.

• Hot Sauce! Fresh research and some brain expanders

• Pix of the week, from balancing on the SUP to ballparking together ...